Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)

Overview

• Highly contagious viral infection.   Most often the Coxsackie A16 virus (CAV 16) or enterovirus 71 (EV 71), Can also be coxsackie viruses A16, A4, A5, A9, A10, B2 and B5
• Infants and children under 5 years are the most likely to get HFMD
• Not the same as the "hoof and mouth"disease that affects cows, pigs and sheep

Symptoms

Symptoms last 1-2 weeks and include:

• Usually begins with fever, malaise, reduced appetite, sore throat
• Painful oral sores - rapidly-ulcerating vesicles on the buccal mucosa, tongue, palate and gums
• Rash with flat red spots on palms, fingers, soles of feet, and sometimes buttocks, knees and elbows
• Possible vomiting, diarrhea
• Complications (particularly with EV 71) are rare, but include: encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis, pulmonary edema or hemorrhage and myocarditis. Most deaths in HFMD occur as a result of pulmonary edema or hemorrhage

Transmission

• EV 71 transmission is thought to be predominantly via the respiratory route
• Viruses exist in throat secretions (Eg. Saliva, sputum, nasal mucus), blister fluid and feces
• Most contagious in first week of illness but may continue to be contagious for several more weeks, even after symptoms are gone.
• Adults can carry / spread the virus without developing symptoms
• Risk increased by poor hygiene
• Anyone getting HFMD develops immunity to the specific virus responsible

Treatment

Typically HFMD is self-limiting and will resolve itself in a week or so

• Boost immune system.   Probiotics, electromedicine (Eg. SOTA Silver Pulser very effectively boosts immune system activity)
• Topical antivirals.   Ionic colloidal silver (make it yourself using, for example, the SOTA silver pulser), Organic, virgin coconut oil is also anti-viral
• Wash towels, linens, clothes in hot water to prevent transmission
• Consume Ionic Colloidal Silver (ICS).    2-4 oz twice daily. Add 1 dropHydrogen Peroxide to 4 oz ICS and allow to sit for 15 minutes to stabilize, for the purpose of enhancing its absorption out of the stomach / small intestines and into the blood.